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Yes. In the U.S., you can watch CBS on a Roku TV with an HDTV antenna, a Paramount+ Premium subscription, a participating cable or satellite provider login, or a live-TV streaming service that carries your local CBS affiliate. The right choice depends on whether you want free local broadcasts, CBS over the internet, or a wider bundle of channels.
Choose the right way to watch CBS
| What you want | Best option to check | Cost and limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Free local CBS broadcasts | Connect an HDTV antenna to the Roku TV | No streaming subscription, but reception depends on your location and antenna setup. |
| Your local CBS station over the internet | Paramount+ Premium | Paid plan; confirm that your local station is available. Live TV includes ads. |
| CBS through an existing TV package | A participating provider’s Roku app or authenticated network app | Requires an eligible package that includes CBS and a successful provider login. |
| CBS plus many other live channels | A live-TV streaming service | Paid; check that it carries your local CBS affiliate before subscribing. |
| National news or specialty sports coverage | CBS News or CBS Sports app | Some content may be free, but these apps are not a substitute for every local CBS broadcast. |
“CBS” can mean your local affiliate, CBS shows on demand, a particular sports event, or news and sports specialty streams. Those are not interchangeable. A CBS-branded listing in Roku search or The Roku Channel does not by itself mean you can watch your local CBS station.
Watch local CBS for free with an antenna
If your home can receive a local CBS affiliate over the air, an antenna is usually the lowest-cost way to watch its broadcast signal. You will need a Roku TV with a built-in tuner and an HDTV antenna with a coaxial connection; a Roku streaming stick or player alone does not have the TV tuner needed for antenna channels. Roku’s live TV guide and antenna setup instructions explain the available setup options.
- Connect the antenna’s coaxial cable to the TV’s Ant/Cable In port. If the antenna is amplified, connect it to power as directed by its manufacturer.
- Press Home on the Roku remote and select Live TV.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to set up the input and scan for channels. If needed, use Settings > TV inputs > Live TV > Set up input, then scan for channels.
- Check that the guide is using your correct ZIP code. Roku says an incorrect ZIP code can result in listings for the wrong area; its Live TV guide instructions cover guide listings and local information.
- Once channels are found, open Live TV and look for your local CBS station. Rescan after moving the antenna.
The scan can only find stations whose signals reach your antenna. Reception varies with distance from the transmitter, hills, buildings, antenna placement, and other obstructions. If CBS does not appear, check that the coaxial connection is tight, try another cable if available, and move the antenna higher or near a window. Reorient it toward local broadcast towers and scan again after each significant move. Concrete, metal, large appliances, and other sources of interference can weaken reception. If you are near strong broadcast towers and use an amplified antenna, try turning off the amplifier; too much signal can also cause reception trouble.
#1 Best Overall
- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 40" flat screen TV with bright 1080p Full HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Antenna channels do not require a Roku subscription or an internet streaming subscription. Roku notes that some setup and guide features may use an internet connection, but receiving over-the-air broadcasts is separate from streaming a channel online. An antenna is not a reliable solution everywhere: apartments, valleys, distant transmitters, and dense construction can make reception difficult.
Stream your local CBS station with Paramount+
Paramount+ lists Roku as a supported device and advertises live streaming of the viewer’s local CBS station with its Premium plan. Its official plan and live-TV page listed Premium at $13.99 per month and Essential at $8.99 per month during the research cycle for this article. Treat those as prices observed at that time, not a guarantee of today’s price; check the plan page before signing up. The local CBS livestream is associated with Premium, not automatically included with every plan. Paramount+ also says live TV includes ads, including on Premium.
Rank #2
- Breathtaking picture: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 55" flat screen TV, while the QLED screen and HDR10 create bright, accurate colors. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Availability of a local station, programming, and individual sports events can depend on market and rights. A subscription does not promise every local news broadcast or every CBS sports event. If local CBS is the reason you are subscribing, confirm the station and plan details during signup.
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Rank #3
- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 24" flat screen TV with bright 720p HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
- Through Roku: Press Home, search the Roku app store for Paramount+, add or open the app, and follow its prompts to create an account or sign in and choose a plan.
- Directly through Paramount+: Sign up on the provider’s website, install Paramount+ on the Roku TV, then open the app and sign in with the account details or activation method shown on screen.
Where you subscribe matters for billing and cancellation. A subscription purchased through Roku is generally managed through the relevant Roku account subscription controls; one purchased directly from Paramount+ is managed with Paramount+. Check your billing confirmation or Roku’s subscription management guidance if you are unsure which company bills you.
Use a cable or satellite provider login
If you already pay for cable or satellite TV, check whether your provider offers a Roku app or supports authentication in the relevant network app. Roku explains how provider-authenticated apps work. You will need a qualifying TV package that includes CBS, plus the provider’s username and password. CBS’s live-TV page currently directs viewers to connect a TV provider for its live stream.
Rank #4
- Breathtaking picture: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 50" flat screen TV, while the QLED screen and HDR10 create bright, accurate colors. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Installing a CBS-branded app does not automatically unlock a live local channel. A “not authorized” message often means the package does not include the channel or the login did not authenticate correctly. Check your package, confirm that you selected the correct provider, and try signing in again. Provider apps may carry some episodes or programs without offering a continuous local CBS feed, and support can vary.
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The CBS News app may meet your needs for national news and selected live news coverage, while the CBS Sports app can offer specialty sports content. These are narrower experiences, not guarantees of the complete schedule from your local CBS affiliate. Local-news availability and specific streams can vary. Roku’s news guidance can help you find news options on the platform.
Best Value
- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 32" flat screen TV with bright 1080p Full HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Similarly, a CBS-related free channel or listing within The Roku Channel is not necessarily your local broadcast station. For local over-the-air CBS, use an antenna; for a local CBS internet livestream, check Paramount+ Premium or a provider that carries your station.
For CBS sports, verify the event and market
Paramount+ advertises NFL on CBS and other sports, but coverage depends on the event, plan, local market, and rights. Do not assume one subscription provides every NFL game or every CBS sports broadcast. CBS Sports HQ is a specialty sports-news stream, not the full CBS broadcast network. If a specific game or event is your priority, check its listing and local availability with the service before subscribing. A live-TV service or antenna may be a better fit for some local broadcasts.
When a live-TV streaming service makes more sense
If you want CBS alongside several broadcast and cable channels, compare live-TV services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, or Sling TV where available. Local CBS coverage, pricing, DVR features, and sports rights can differ and change. Enter your ZIP code on the service’s own channel-availability page and confirm it carries your local CBS affiliate before paying. A broader service may be useful as a cable replacement, but it is often unnecessary if all you want is a receivable local CBS signal.
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Quick Recap
Troubleshooting common problems
- You can’t find a CBS app: Decide whether you need the local channel, on-demand shows, news, or specialty sports. Look for the matching service—such as Paramount+, CBS News, or CBS Sports—rather than assuming one general CBS app provides everything. The local station may require an antenna, a qualifying subscription, or provider authentication.
- Your antenna scan found no CBS: Confirm the cable is in Ant/Cable In, check the connection, move and reorient the antenna, and scan again. Try a different cable or turning off an amplifier if the signal may be too strong. The station may be outside reliable range or obstructed at your location.
- The guide shows stations from another area: Correct the ZIP code in the Live TV guide settings and rescan if necessary.
- You can watch CBS shows on demand but not the local channel: On-demand catalog access is different from a live local station. Check whether the plan includes local CBS streaming and whether your station is available in your market.
- Your provider login says “not authorized”: Verify that your TV package includes CBS, use the correct provider account, and confirm that the app supports your provider and the content you want.
- Streaming buffers: Paramount+, authenticated apps, and other internet streams need a working internet connection. Check the Roku’s network connection and router signal; an antenna avoids Wi-Fi buffering for over-the-air broadcasts.
- You cannot cancel through Paramount+: Check who bills you. If you subscribed through Roku, manage the subscription through Roku; if you subscribed directly, manage it with Paramount+.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
